Baker's music all about relationships

Singer and songwriter Jimmy Baker performs Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, in the Montgomery Advertiser newsroom as part of the ongoing original music series Montgomery Advertiser LIVE!
Shannon Heupel/Advertiser

Everything is about relationships for Jimmy Baker, including his music.

As a licensed professional counselor in Montgomery, Baker is someone who helps people dealing with a variety of personal issues. He’s also a talented singer and songwriter, who has been in music with several bands since he was a teenager.

“A lot of times in life we don’t think about what really matters, and sometimes it makes us just stop when things happen,” said Baker. "I just try to write what I’m inspired about."

He still performs regularly around the River Region. “I play a lot of places. The Exchange has been wonderful to me. Railyard. No Way Jose’s. Jan’s and Aw Shucks,” said Baker.

Add the Montgomery Advertiser to the list. On Monday, Baker brought a collection of his original songs to sing for the Advertiser’s ongoing original music series.

Baker said being a counselor and being a singer and songwriter are pretty inclusive - they’re all about relationships and fellowship - including one of his favorites, “All I’ll Ever Need.”

“My mind and my body may grow weak, but you are all I’ll ever need. In you I am complete. You are all I’ll ever need.”

"To me it all kind of works together,” said Baker. "Music to me is a loving thing. You pull people together. It’s fun.”

"Why Can’t I Make a Living Loving You?” is another relationship song. "My wife always thought that one got ripped off,” Baker said.

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Over the years, Baker has made a lot of talented musical friends, and lost a few along the way. “It’s funny how we all get brushed with mortality, I guess is a good way to put it,” said Baker.

About three years ago, he had his own brush when he found out he had throat cancer.

“On my 50th birthday, at 4 p.m. on a Friday, I get the call from the doctor. ‘You have esophageal carcinoma.’” Baker said. "Thank God, literally, I’ve been blessed and still here, and it didn’t affect the voice.”

Dealing with the idea of mortality is the basis of another of Baker’s songs, "Seize the Day."

“We bring nothing at birth. We take nothing to the grave. The Lord alone gives. The Lord alone takes.”

"Press On” is a song Baker wrote in dedication to a former bandmate, Lance Lisenby.

"He’s a local guy, owns a music store up in Prattville. He got hit by a train and lost his left arm,” said Baker. "I thought that was going to maybe be the end of him, but he showed how resilient he was, and this song was inspired by that."

“Stay the course. Don’t give up. Focus on the one thing. Persevere. Get back up. Win the prize, a gold ring. And press on.”

For his last song, Baker offered one that wives across the nation would likely cheer for: "You’re Right Honey.”

It was inspired by an overheard story at a wedding he attended. A father said, "I’m going to give you a piece of advice, son. Whatever she says, you just say 'You’re right, honey.'”

"It may seem a little degrading to say that, but actually I tried it and it worked,” Baker said.

As for advice he’d offer new songwriters, he said it is important to get all your ideas written or recorded as quickly as possible.

“Every idea you get, put it down,” said Baker. "I’m notorious for being old school and hitting a tape recorder. It’s still the quickest way. Sorry Mac. It’s quicker than going through all the computer stuff. I’m going to run out of tapes one day."

He also said to turn your inner critic off while writing music.

"If you’re critical, you’re not going to write,” said Baker. "You’ve got the critic off, brainstorm. Turn the critic back on when you go to record or arrange stuff."